Southfield, Mich. - Lawrence Technological University will host the first of four networking receptions to bring together displaced workers with college degrees and more than 50 companies with job openings on Thursday, Jan. 22, 5-9 p.m. on its campus at 21000 West Ten Mile Road in Southfield. More than 400 job applicants have already signed up for the event, offered by Lawrence Tech without charge.

To help displaced workers prepare for the networking reception, The Ayers Group of Southfield - a career transition management firm and a division of Kelly Services, Inc. of Troy - is teaming up with Lawrence Tech's Office of Career Services to offer a workshop, "Networking for Success," on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at 7-9 p.m. in the Taubman Student Services Center.

The Ayers Group will lead additional workshops on "Successful Job Search Strategies" and "Resume Building" on Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 28-29, at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

The networking receptions and workshops are part of Lawrence Tech's $3 million "Recovery Starts Here" stimulus package for displaced workers. The initiative includes 400 "Recovery Grants" that provide 50 percent of tuition for eligible displaced workers or their dependent children through the completion of a degree program. These grants will enable displaced workers to take advantage of Lawrence Tech's expanded academic programs in areas such as sustainability, alternative energy and life sciences that are geared to strengthen and diversify Michigan's economic competitiveness

The networking receptions and workshops are open to all displaced workers with college degrees, not just Lawrence Tech alumni and students. They are designed to provide employers and job-seekers with a face-to-face experience in an informal setting that is both professional and personal.

Margaret Pierce, director of career services at Lawrence Tech, said many job applicants will be pleasantly surprised to see how many companies in Michigan are looking to add employees who have experience. "This is an opportunity for us to show those companies that the workers they seek are right here in Michigan," Pierce said.

The networking reception will provide applicants with the opportunity to talk to business recruiters on an informal basis. "Instead of the resume shuffle that takes place at job fairs, we want to give job applicants the opportunity to talk to employers on a variety of topics," said Kevin Finn, dean of students at Lawrence Tech.

Career fields generating job opportunities across Michigan include energy, life sciences, homeland security and defense, and advanced manufacturing. "Although it is easy to presume that job opportunities are scant, many companies and industries today need talented and experienced people to contribute to and lead their organizations," Finn said.

Karen Lazarou, business development executive from the Southfield office of The Ayers Group, will lead the three workshops.

"The Ayers Group is positioned as a strong and knowledgeable leader in moving southeast Michigan forward as companies and employees deal with the changing economy and their work environment," Lazarou said.

Other networking receptions will follow on April 2, June 4 and Oct. 8. The Ayers Group will hold workshops to help job applicants prepare for those events.

Lawrence Technological University, ltu.edu, offers over 80 undergraduate, master's and doctoral degree programs in Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Engineering and Management. Founded in 1932, the 4,500-student, private university pioneered evening classes 75 years ago, and today has a growing number of weekend and online programs. Lawrence Tech's 102-acre campus is in Southfield, with education centers in Lansing, Livonia, Clinton Township, Traverse City and Petoskey. Lawrence Tech also offers programs with partner universities in Mexico, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

The Ayers Group is headquartered in New York City's historic Chrysler building, with five offices in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Michigan. Through its partnership with Career Partners International (CPI), The Ayers Group/CPI has offices in more than 175 locations throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, South America and the Pacific Rim.